Destinations

We set out to get under the skin of the 130 destinations that we visit, from Egypt to Jamaica and from Bolivia to Japan. Combining the must-sees with the who-knews, we provide authentic travel experiences across the globe.

Destinations

Africa

Discover the vast, diverse continent that is Africa. Navigate through aromatic medinas, drive across stretching golden plains in search of the Big Five and discover tribal cultures. We challenge you not to fall in love.

Asia

Asia offers a heady mix of diverse traditions, religions, cuisine and architecture. Iconic monuments from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, and scenery from Indonesian rice paddies to the staggering Himalaya, give a flavour of its variety.

Australasia

Australasia is a region of vibrant colour, staggering landscapes and contrasting cultures. Compact yet varied, New Zealand is all about the great outdoors. It's best explored on foot, where you'll cover lakes and mountains, coasts and glaciers.

Europe

From the windswept Atlantic coast to the vast taiga forests in the east, and from the polar tundra to the sun-kissed Mediterranean, Europe's variety is second to none. The diversity of its cuisine, culture and climate mirrors that of its landscape.

Middle East

The Middle East is a heady concoction of welcoming people, ancient sites, stunning desert scenery and delicious food. Uncover history that spans millenia in colossal archaeological sites and sleep under starlit skies in the Arabian desert.

North America

North America is home to dynamic cities, rich cultural diversity and inspiring National Parks. From the canyons and deserts of the USA to Canada's Rocky Mountains and Alaska's wildlife, North America's charms are hard to resist.

Central America

The thin strip of land connecting North and South America contains eight countries packed with fascinating Mayan history, colourful modern cultures and pristine beaches. Here the rainforests, cloud forests and barrier reef bustle with biodiversity.

Caribbean

Fields of sugar cane, rum distilleries, freshly-cooked fish and jerk chicken and a laid-back attitude to life - there's lots to love about Caribbean holidays. And that's without even mentioning the glittering azure waters and miles of sandy beaches.

South America

South America is a continent of superlatives. Explore the world's largest rainforest and marvel at its highest waterfall. Walk its longest mountain range and discover its highest capital city. All washed down with hearty food and world-class wines.

Experiences

Adventure doesn't have to take you out of your comfort zone; from activities like zip-wiring in Costa Rica, to tasting local dishes in Italy and staying with local families in Peru, there's a little adventure to be found on all our travels.

Experiences

Worldwide Adventures

Our discovery tours take in ancient and contemporary cultures, inspiring landscapes, iconic sites and hidden gems. Visit remote tribes in India's Nagaland, live the nomadic life in desert camps or stay with local families in the Mekong Delta.

Wildlife Tours

Come face-to-face with mountain gorillas in Uganda, search for rhino in Swaziland or swim with sea lions in the Galapagos. We've put together 100 wildlife trips across all seven continents, from long weekends in Finland to epic Polar expeditions.

Why book this trip?

Discover the last true monarchy in Africa on this all-encompassing adventure through Swaziland. The country offers travellers the chance toreally get under the skin of Africa and marvel at its culture and natural beauty. On this trip we get up close and personal with rhino in Mkhaya National Park, explore tranquil Mlilwane as zebras and nyala pass us by and drive up to Execution Rock for sundowners and incredible views.

Included meals

Breakfast: 7

Lunch: 2

Dinner: 7

Trip staff

Explore Tour Leader

Driver(s)

Naturalist(s)

Transport

4WD

Minibus

i

Accommodation

2 nights standard beehive huts

2 nights standard cabins

1 nights simple cabins

2 nights premium lodge

i

Trip pace:

Moderate

i

Group Size:

10 - 16

The Kingdom of Swaziland

View Map

Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Day 1 - Join trip Johannesburg and drive into the Kingdom of Swaziland

We join our trip in Johannesburg where you will meet your Explore Leader and then we will make our way to the Kingdom of Swaziland. A scenic journey which takes us from the low plains of South Africa to the mountainous Highveld of Swaziland. Nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, Swaziland has somehow kept its independence and maintained its traditions and culture with the King leading the country as the last true monarch in the world; to the casual observer it would seem unchanged for centuries. However as we will find over the next 8 days, the country has been a leading light in conservation in Southern Africa. Our base for the next two nights are log cabins in the Malolotja Nature Reserve, one of the most impressive mountain parks in Southern Africa. We will have some time for an orientation walk after arriving.

Accommodation:

Malolotja Mountain Log Cabins (or similar)

Grade:
Standard Cabins

Single room available

Meals Provided: Dinner

This morning we explore this beautiful nature reserve, we start by making our way through the park to the Malolotja Falls; at 95m they are the highest waterfalls in Swaziland. Whilst hiking across the green rolling hills your leader will be spotting some of abundant bird life found in the park, including endangered blue swallow, Denham's bustard and southern bald ibis. After lunch the afternoon is free for you to continue the exploration of the reserve and your leader will advise you of many short walking trails found in the area. For the thrill seekers there is the option of taking the famous Malolotja Canopy Tour, featuring 11 wooden platforms joined together by zip lines, an unforgettable experience. There is also an option to take a short excursion to the ancient Sangweni San Rock Art site just outside the reserve near Maguga Dam.

Accommodation:

Malolotja Mountain Log Cabins (or similar)

Grade:
Standard Cabins

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We spend our last morning in the Highveld visiting the Lion Cavern, the oldest mine in the world. This iron ore mine has been dated by archaeologists to around 43000 years ago and we will have a tour with a local guide. From the mine we visit the Ngwenya Glass Blowing Factory where highly skilled artists blow amazing glass crafts which are for sale in the factory shop. This is an important site as the glass used is 100% recycled and collected from used glass bottles in Swaziland. Leaving the green mountains behind us, we make our way to the renowned Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Mlilwane is where conservation started in Swaziland and we will spend the afternoon on a walking safari through this beautiful park, looking for zebra, antelope, wildebeest and a myriad of birdlife.

Accommodation:

Mlilwane Beehive Huts/Rondavels (or similar)

Grade:
Standard Beehive Huts

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

The morning is free for you to choose how you would like to explore Mlilwane, by foot, by bike or by horseback. All are available and offer unique ways of viewing game or just enjoying the beautiful countryside. Of course you can also just relax in our traditional beehive huts if you desire. In the afternoon we will take a game drive around the park and as the sun starts to go down we will head up the iconic Execution Rock, the mountain that dominates the landscape. Legend has it that centuries ago those who committed serious crimes against the King would be hauled to this peak and thrown from the cliff edge to their death. The summit offers 360 degree views of the entire Ezulwini Valley and is a great way to end the day - for us at least!

Accommodation:

Mlilwane Beehive Huts/Rondavels (or similar)

Grade:
Standard Beehive Huts

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Local craft markets, drive to community village for overnight stay

Leaving Mlilwane we stop at local craft markets and have a chance to either buy or just see what the local communities make and sell. This area is famous for its candle making and we will visit a local workshop before heading to the Savanna Research Camp in Mbuluzi Game Reserve. At the camp we will have a conservation talk with a local specialist, understanding the history of nature conservation in Swaziland and the challenges facing the country and its wildlife today. We then make our way up the Lubombo ridge to the Shewula Mountain community to stay with our hosts for the evening. Swaziland is famous for its pristine culture and this is a fantastic way to experience this and enjoy the company of the local community. At Shewula Mountain Camp we will have the opportunity to sample delicious traditional Swazi cuisine including "tinkuku" a kind of casserole and "mgomeni" a delicious Swazi bean dish. We will also try some of the locally home brewed sorghum beer that is popular in the area.

Accommodation:

Shewula Mountain Huts (or similar)

Grade:
Simple Cabins

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 - Shewula village walking tour; afternoon sunset safari

This morning we will have some time to wander through the local village on a guided tour and meet some more of the community and see their homes and livelihoods. We will also visit a traditional herbalist doctor, known locally as Sangoma. We then journey south to Mkhaya Game Reserve. Well known for it's black and white rhino population, the reserve is also home to buffalo and leopard along with many of southern Africa's endangered and rare wildlife including sable and roan antelope, tsesebe and eland. We will take a game drive in the hope of spotting some of these animals before arriving at our lodge where we spend the next two nights.

Accommodation:

Stone Camp Lodge (or similar)

Grade:
Premium Lodge

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Game drives and walking safari to spot rhino in Mkhaya Game Reserve

We are up early today and out game driving in open top land rovers, hoping to spot hyena, giraffe, hippo, kudu and many more. There is also an abundance of birdlife to find here, including narina trogon, pink-throated twinspot and nightjars. During the late morning we will join park rangers on a guided walking safari giving us the opportunity to be out of the vehicle, on foot and appreciating the Swazi bushveld and its wildlife from a more intimate perspective. After relaxing after lunch we will head out again this afternoon on safari in this private reserve. There is also a "hide" at our lodge, which we can try out tonight to get more great sightings of rhino and other game.

Accommodation:

Stone Camp Lodge (or similar)

Grade:
Premium Lodge

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Morning safari then return to Johannesburg to end the trip

This morning is our final safari of the trip before we make our way back to Johannesburg airport where the trip ends.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Country information

South Africa

Climate

Mild throughout the year and can thus be visited year round. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean-type climate, with warm, dry summers and cold winters with rainfall. Summer runs from November to March, with temperatures averaging 22oC to 34oC. The months of April and October are generally warm and sunny. Winter is also a good time to visit as towns and sites are not so crowded and the countryside is more verdant, but it can be cold. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable.

Time difference to GMT

+2

Plugs

3 Pin Round

Religion

Christian

Language

Afrikaans, English

Swaziland

Climate

Can be visited all year round. Most rain falls in the summer months (October-April). The climate during this period is generally hot and humid in the lowlands with temperatures sometimes up to 40°C. Winters (June-August) are much drier and colder, but still pleasant for travel. The high veld has a temperate climate. Average daily sunshine hours are high throughout the year. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable.

Time difference to GMT

+2

Plugs

3 Pin Round

Religion

Christian

Language

English, Swati

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.

Clothing

Clothing should generally be lightweight for the day. A few warm fleeces and long trousers are strongly recommended as nights can be very cold, especially from May to August and in the highlands of Swaziland. A waterproof and windproof jacket are also recommended, particularly between October and April. Avoid brightly coloured clothing for game viewing. Take a swimming costume. Please note that it is forbidden to wear camouflage clothing in Swaziland.

Footwear

Comfortable walking shoes or lightweight boots for the treks, trainers or sandals for relaxing/travelling.

Luggage

20kg

Luggage: On tour

Take a tough soft bag or holdall (or rucksack with detachable frame) suitable to be carried by 4WD vehicle. Total allowance: 44lb/ 20kg maximum (due to weight restrictions on our vehicle). Also take a daypack for items needed during any short walks and game drives (20-30 litre).

Equipment

Bring a torch, water bottle, sunhatunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars are essential for game viewing and a 300mm lens is recommended for photography. Walking poles are recommended for some of the hikes. Mosquito nets are not required as the accommodation provides screening where necessary.

Tipping

Explore leader

Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that's done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.

Local crew

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Accordingly, you should allow £15.00 per person for group tipping.

South Africa

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Lunch price

£6

Dinner price

£12

Beer price

£1.2

Water price

£1

Foreign Exchange

Local currency

Rand.

Recommended Currency For Exchange

Take your money in a combination of cash and an ATM card. Both GBP and USD are readily exchanged at the airport.

Where To Exchange

Most towns or cities, your tour leader will advise you.
If your trip is wildlife based and visits rural regions we strongly recommend to exchange money at the airport upon arrival for your trip.

ATM Availability

Cash can be drawn on debit cards from ATM's in most South African towns.

Credit Card Acceptance

In large shops and restaurants.

Swaziland

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Lunch price

£10

Dinner price

£15

Water price

£1

Foreign Exchange

Local currency

Lilangeni but South African Rand is accepted

Recommended Currency For Exchange

Both GBP and USD are readily exchanged. Please note that the banks and Forex Bureaus do not accept US Dollar notes pre-2002. Take your money in a combination of cash and an ATM card.

Where To Exchange

On arrival.

ATM Availability

Cash can be conveniently drawn on credit/debit cards from ATM's.

Credit Card Acceptance

Credit cards are usually accepted in large shops and restaurants.

Travellers Cheques

We do not recommend to take travellers cheques as these are quite difficult to exchange.

Transport, Accommodation & Meals

Transport Information

4WD, Minibus

Accommodation notes

Please note that at some of the cabins we use in the national parks in Swaziland share a bathroom between two cabins.

South Africa

Food and drink

Dietary requirements: Most restaurants and hotels in South Africa do not have a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian choices. There is usually a choice of salads and one main vegetarian and/or vegan main dish on the menus, but choice will be limited especially in more remote locations. If you have specific dietary requirements we do recommend for you to bring some food with you.

Swaziland

Food and drink

Dietary requirements: Most restaurants and hotels in Swaziland do not have a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian choices. There is usually a choice of salads and one main vegetarian and/or vegan main dish on the menus, but choice will be limited especially in more remote locations. If you have specific dietary requirements we do recommend for you to bring some food with you.

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions

Visa and Passport Information

Travelling with Minors via South Africa (including transits)2 Regulations affecting all children aged under 18 years that are travelling to, from or via South Africa are in place. The law states that parents and/or guardians are requested by the airline and/or South Africa immigration officers to provide additional documentation for each child they are travelling with. Please refer to the South African House website and your airline for full requirements.

Swaziland: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.

South Africa: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. New Zealand passport holders do require a visa, please consult your local consulate for full information. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. Please ensure you have the correct multiple entry visa, especially if you are visiting another country on your itinerary and will need to re-enter South Africa - this includes visiting Swaziland. All visitors should ensure their passport is machine readable and has two blank pages when entering and leaving South Africa. The South African Immigration officials will not allow child/ infant pages to be used for this purpose and visitors without the stipulated blank pages will be denied entry.

You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may consider applying through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.

Booking conditions

Transfers

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information.

Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will now receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.

Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Polar, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

South Africa

Vaccinations

Please note that you will be required to supply a yellow fever certificate that has been issued at least 10 days prior to arrival in South Africa if you have travelled from or via a country where yellow fever is endemic. We recommend protection against hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and diphtheria. According to various travel health sources, the Western Cape is not regarded as a malaria risk area. If you are travelling to other areas in South Africa please check with your doctor about malaria requirements. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Swaziland

Vaccinations

Please note that you will be required to supply a yellow fever certificate that has been issued at least 10 days prior to arrival in Swaziland if you have travelled from or via a country where yellow fever is endemic. We recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and diphtheria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Additional Information

Why book this trip

This is the most comprehensive itinerary of Swaziland on the market and has been designed for lovers of Africa's beautiful scenery and culture. For those wanting to see more of Southern Africa, this trip can booked back to back with our Cape Escape trip: https://www.explore.co.uk/holidaysouth-african-adventure

Dates, prices and booking

All trips are subject to availability and prices are subject to change

All customers that travel on an Explore Group or Private Journey trip will be provided with a complimentary transfer, provided they arrive and depart into the designated airport or train station on the trip start and end dates. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule are customers who are booked on a trip where the joining and/or ending point is the airport or station. In this particular case there will be a specific time provided for when the trip starts and ends. On these particular trips, only one arrival and departure transfer will generally be provided for the whole group. Please see
free transfers for terms and conditions.

These trip joining details are provided on a provisional basis and may change prior to this tour departing. Any changes to these details will be updated on this page.
For those not eligible for a free transfer the joining / ending time and location for your trip are detailed below:

Joining Point

Town

Johannesburg

Time and place

10:30 AM at Hotel reception

Ending Point

Town

Johannesburg

Time

5:30 PM

If you have booked a pre or post trip accommodation directly with the hotel, or through any other intermediaries, please ensure you regularly check this page in case of any changes.

Flight-inclusive price information

The price of this trip is a guide price only. The price may change due to the availability of flights and your preferred airport and airline. When you submit your booking request we will hold your place and contact you to confirm that you're happy to go ahead.